New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has confirmed he called President Donald Trump directly to object to the U.S. military operation in Venezuela, arguing the action violates international law and directly affects New Yorkers. Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Mamdani said he told the president he was opposed to the pursuit of regime change and the violation of federal and international law.
Mamdani, who took office on Thursday, initiated the call, which his aides described as brief. He did not disclose further details, stating only that he registered his opposition and left it at that. The mayor had previously referred to Trump as a fascist.
The operation led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, who are now being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Maduro is expected to face federal drug and weapons charges in Manhattan, with a possible court appearance as early as Monday.
In a post on X, Mamdani expressed dismay at the unilateral attack on a sovereign nation, calling it an act of war. He emphasised that the pursuit of regime change impacts New Yorkers, including tens of thousands of Venezuelans in the city, and pledged to monitor the situation and issue guidance.
The clash marks the first disagreement between the new mayor and the president, but Mamdani acknowledged he has little influence over Maduro's detention. He said his focus is on minimising the impact of federal actions on New Yorkers' daily lives.
